Shade-holder for baby-carriages



(No Model.)

0. 0. WHITE. SHADE HOLDER FOR BABY RRIAGBS.

No. 566,361. Patented Aug. 25, 1896.

Witnesses: Inventor. V4 0. arr/m:

NlTED STATES 3 ATENT FFicE.

OTIS 0. WHITE, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,361, dated August 25, 1896. Application filed July 5 1895. Serial No. 554,927. (No model.)

f0 aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OTIS 0. WHITE, a citizen of the United States, residing at l/Vorcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and use ful Improvement in Shade-Holders for Baby- Oarriages, of which the following is a speci fication. My invention relates to an improved shadeholder for baby-carriages; and the object of my invention is to provide a strong, simple, and inexpensive clamping device for engaging the shade-rod of a baby-carriage, and for holding the same in any desired position to which it may be adjusted.

To these ends my invention consists of the parts and combinations of parts as hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rear end of a babycarriage with my improved shade-holder applied thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the shade-holder. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a modified form of construction.

A shade-holder constructed according to my invention comprises a ball, made in sections, for adjustably engaging the shade-rod of a baby-carriage, a two-part contractile case for said ball, and a single fastening device for securing the parts of the case together, and

'for adjustably clamping the same into engagement with the ball.

Referring to the drawings and in detail, A designates my improved shade holder or clamping device, which may be secured upon the back of a baby-carriage B in position to engage and adjustably support a shade-rod O, of ordinary or desired form.

The shade-holder or clamping device A is constructed to act substantially as a ball-andsocket joint which maybe adj ustably clamped into engagement with the shade-rod, whereby the shade-rod may be raised to the desired height or turned to the desired angle, and be then firmly secured in its adjusted position. As illustrated, I employ a sectional ball comprising three similar sections 1O, 11, and 12, which are shaped to engage with and clamp upon the shade-rod C. If desired, the ball may be differently divided, or may be made up of a different number of sections. A twopart contractile case is arranged to receive the ball, and a clamping device is provided for clamping the parts firmly in their adjusted position. As illustrated, one section of the contractile case is provided with an engaging lip or ring 13 and integral supporting arms or legs 14, having flattened bearingsurfaces or feet 15 for receiving the screws for securing the same upon the carriage. At one side of the contact-ring 13 I provide an abutment or support 16, which is preferably formed integrally with the upper section of the twopart contractile case and is arranged to receive and support one end of the other section of the two-part case.

The lower section of the two-part contractile case, as illustrated, is provided with a contact surface or ring 17, and with a projecting part or tall 18 for resting upon and engaging the abutment 16. A clamping-screw 19 may be arranged upon the opposite side of the sectional ball, and, as illustrated, is provided with a hexagonal head 20, which fits into and is prevented from turning by means of a socket 21. A clamping-lever 23 is threaded onto the lower end of the clamping-screw 19, and is provided with an operating-handle 22, which is preferably curved to fit closely against the side of the contractile case when the same is turned in position to clamp the parts together. In this construction it is to be noted that I employ a single clampingscrew or fastening device 19, which is employed for securing the sections of the twopart case together, and for clamping the shade-rod in its adjusted position. I consider this an important point in practice, as by means of this construction the parts may be quickly assembled and secured together by a single screw or bolt 19, which also forms part of the clamping device. It is also to be noted that this construction may be readily and quickly adjusted to exert the desired amount of pressure upon the shade-rod, or to cooperate with different sizes of rods.

WVhen it is desired to adjust the clamping device, the shade-rod C may be removed and the clamping-screw 19 may then be raised to disengage its head 20 from the socket 21, when it may be turn ed or tightened to secure the requisite degree of pressure upon the shade-rod. In practice I have found that this forms a simple and desirable means of adjustment, which is not liable to become disarranged in the use of the shade-holder, as the clamping-screw cannot be raised or turned until the shade-rod has been removed from the sectional ball.

In some cases I contemplate using a supplemental or additional means for adjusting the pressure exerted by the clamping devices, and I have illustrated such a construction in Fig. 4. In this construction two of the supporting arms or legs 14 are formed integrally with the upper section of the contractile case, and a third supportingarm 23 is fastened to said sect-ion by means of a threaded shank 24.

Adjustably threaded on the shank 24 is an adjustable abutment or nut 25 for engaging with a slotted tailpiece or projection 26, extending from the lower section of the contractile case. In this construction it will be seen that the nut 25 forms an independent means for adjusting the tension or pressure exerted by the clamping device. In some cases I also contemplate employing cam-actuated clamping devices.

Referring to the clamping devices illustrated in Fig. 4, it will be seen that the bolt or screw 19 is provided with a head 20, which engages with and is prevented from turning by a partial socket 220, formed in the upper section of the contractile case. The clamping-lever 22, which is threaded onto the nut 19, is provided on its upper surface with a cam-face 27, which cooperates with a camface 28, formed upon the lower section of the contractile case, and by means of this construction it will be seen that the cam-faces 27 and 28 will assist and reinforce the action of the screw-threads. If desired, the sections of the two-part contractile case may be stamped up from sheet metal, and may be reinforced and stiffened in any desired manner.

I am aware that many changes may be made in the construction of my shade-holder for baby-carriages by those who are skilled in the art, and that certain parts may be used in different locations or to form parts of clamping devices employed for other purposes. I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the construction which I have shown and described; but

lVhat I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a ball made in three or more independent sections, a contractile case formed from two independent castings, one of the castings having a transverse ledge or support 16, and the other casting having a tailpiece l8 resting upon and engaging the support 16, and a single clamping device for securing the parts of the contractile case together and adj ustably clamping the same into engagement with the ball, said clamping device comprising a clamping-screw 19, having a head engaging with and held from rotation in a corresponding socket in one of the castings, and a clamping-lever threaded onto said screw, whereby the pressure exerted by the clampin g-lever can be adjusted by raising the head of the clamping-screw from its socket, and turning the same to the desired position, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a ball madein three or more independent sections 12, a contractile case, a clamping-bolt having a head adjustably engaging a corresponding socket in the contractile case, a clamping-lever threaded onto said bolt, said clamping-lever and the case being formed with engaging cam-faces for reinforcing the action of the screwthreads, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OTIS 0. WHITE.

WVitnesses:

PHILIP W. SOUTHGATE, E. M HEALY. 

